The quiet Richmond cul-de-sac where Wenyan Zhou lived became the focal point of a homicide investigation last week, shocking neighbors who described the area as typically peaceful. RCMP officers discovered Zhou’s body in her residence during a welfare check after colleagues reported she hadn’t shown up for work – something entirely out of character for the 42-year-old accounting professional.
Court documents reveal that Zhou’s partner, Li Chen, 45, has now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death. Chen made his first appearance before a provincial court judge yesterday via video link from North Fraser Pretrial Centre, where he will remain in custody until a bail hearing scheduled for next month.
I reviewed the police statements and spoke with Sergeant Paulina Calla of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), who confirmed this appears to be a case of intimate partner violence rather than a random attack. “The public is not at risk,” Calla emphasized. “Our investigation indicates this was an isolated incident between individuals known to each other.”
The charging documents I obtained indicate the alleged homicide occurred between April 8 and 9, though authorities have not publicly disclosed the cause of death pending further forensic analysis. The BC Coroners Service is conducting a parallel investigation, with preliminary findings expected within two weeks.
Zhou’s former colleague Michael Tran described her as “meticulous and reliable,” making her absence that prompted the welfare check all the more concerning. “She never missed a meeting without notice. When she didn’t respond to calls or texts for a full day, we knew something was wrong,” Tran told me during a phone interview.
Records show Chen and Zhou purchased their Richmond townhouse together in 2019. Neighbors reported occasional arguments but nothing that raised serious alarms. “They mostly kept to themselves,” said longtime resident Sarah Wong, who lives three doors down. “I would see them walking together on weekends, but they weren’t particularly social with the neighborhood.”
Statistics Canada data reveals a troubling pattern: intimate partner homicides increased by 9% nationally between 2019 and 2022. The Canadian Women’s Foundation reports that a woman is killed by her intimate partner approximately every six days in Canada, highlighting the persistent threat of domestic violence.
Angela MacDonald, executive director of the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, told me these cases often involve warning signs that go unreported. “Many victims experience escalating controlling behavior or isolation before physical violence occurs,” MacDonald explained. “Communities need to understand these indicators and know about available resources.”
The case has prompted Richmond City Council to consider expanding funding for domestic violence prevention programs. Councillor Janet Chen confirmed that a motion to increase support for community outreach will be introduced at next week’s council meeting. “This tragedy serves as a painful reminder that domestic violence affects all neighborhoods, regardless of income level or demographics,” Chen said.
Legal experts note that second-degree murder charges in British Columbia typically carry sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, with parole eligibility determined by the court. Criminal defense attorney David Wong, who is not connected to the case, explained the distinction between first and second-degree charges. “Second-degree murder suggests the act wasn’t planned and deliberate, but still involved the intent to cause death or bodily harm that the accused knew was likely to cause death,” Wong said.
IHIT investigators continue examining evidence collected from the home and analyzing communications between the couple. They’re asking anyone with information about the relationship dynamics or recent interactions between Zhou and Chen to come forward.
Meanwhile, Zhou’s family has arrived from China to make funeral arrangements. Through a community liaison officer, they’ve requested privacy during this difficult time.
For those experiencing domestic violence, the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence reminds residents that immediate help is available through VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808, which provides confidential support in multiple languages, 24 hours a day.
The next court appearance is scheduled for May 12, when Chen’s legal team is expected to present arguments for a bail hearing. Until then, the community continues to process the sudden violence that disrupted their quiet neighborhood and ended a life that friends and colleagues describe as full of promise and dedication.
